The ultimate event of the Grand Slam Sci-Fi Summit was the appearances of the two Spocks, Zachary Quinto and Leonard Nimoy. The pair each had a solo portion followed by a joint appearance (in the same way they often do it when Shatner and Nimoy appear at cons). Of course the actors were not there to reveal big details about the ultra-secret Trek feature film, but their enthusiasm and chemistry was undeniable. Highlights + pics below.

Quinto plays it safe and humbleDuring Quinto’s solo portion he actually took a lot of questions about his pre-Trek work, mostly Heroes. For Heroes he recounted funny stories and fielded all sorts of questions, even if he actually like to eat brains. He did say that season 3 of Heroes will be back into production soon and (due to the strike falling during the Trek production) he won’t miss any episodes, but he didn’t know anything about plotlines.

For Trek, Quinto played it safe and mostly covered areas he has talked about before, such as how ‘honored’ he is to be involved, how impressed he was with Abrams and the script and that sort of thing. He did crack some good jokes about how recently renting a car at Enterprise "had a whole new meaning" and that saying certain things like ‘logical’ for him will never be the same. The crowd seem very impressed with the new Spock and he got a lot of applause. Quinto did talk about some of his thoughts on the optimism of Gene Roddenberry’s Star Trek and how it fits into his view of the character of Spock

One of the things that drew me to this character is that he is constantly exploring that notion of how to evolve in a responsible way and how to evolve in a respectful way. I think those are all things that we as a society, and certainly the world could implement. To be of part of something that puts that forth is really gratifying. I think that, like with Heroes, it is a show about people’s potential and people’s power to change the world for the better. And I think we could all agree that we live in a world that needs to be changed for the better.

The Spocks salute the fans (click to enlarge)

Nimoy on the film, scale and ShatnerNimoy spent much of his time talking up the new Star Trek, for example:

This is really a fantastic film and a reinvigoration of the franchise…This is big, in fifty-eight years in motion pictures I have never been involved with anything this size and scope. And at the same time, great performances by wonderful, wonderful people. So great script, great director, great cast. You have every reason to be excited.

On why he took the role, he said it was all about the script:

When I read the script I was very impressed. I thought they captured the characters wonderfully. It had great size, great scale. And at the same time really done some wonderful work on developing the origins of Spock and Kirk and Scotty and Uhura and Sulu and I was excited. Very genuinely excited.

Regarding Shatner and why he isn’t in the film Nimoy said it was an important question and again pointed out that, although he felt Kirk’s death in Generations was ‘gratuitous’ it was the main reason behind it:

It would have been very very difficult and maybe damaging to this movie, for them to try and inject Bill into this movie, just for the sake of having him in it. I feel bad about it, everybody feels it is a loss. It would have been wonderful, it just was not working. And would hope you could understand that and accept that. I have come to accept it and I believe Bill has. I spoke to him a couple weeks ago and he is comfortable with it.

These two clearly like each other (click to enlarge)

Passing the torch…and the shirtDuring their joint appearance there was great chemistry between Quinto and Nimoy and you can really see that they have bonded in the time between last summer’s Comic Con (when the met for the first time). Nimoy spoke a couple of times how he was happy to ‘pass the torch’ to Quinto, but it was still emotional for him. Nimoy believed that ‘there is a very good Spock for the future.’ And at the end of the evening, Nimoy literally passed the torch, or more specifically his #1 Vulcan T-Shirt. He noted that he had worn it to previous conventions and said "I think it is time for me to pass it on." Quinto seemed genuinely surprised. He took the shirt but demurred saying that he should have one that said ‘#2 Vulcan’

Nimoy passes the ShirTorch (click to enlarge)

POSSIBLE

SPOILERS

BELOW

Both Nimoy and Quinto were very careful not to divulge anything, but Quinto may have revealed some spoilers when he was talking about how fun it was on the set and how every got along. He cited examples such as "when Leonard was there" and "working with Ben Cross and Winona Ryder" which indicates that there may be scenes with his Spock and the older Spock and also scenes with his Spock and his parents (Sarek and Amanda).

I’m glad to hear Leonard addressing the Shatner issue more directly. A lot of people were grasping onto his previous statements about the film being ‘better’ with Shatner, and this makes it clear that even though a lot of people would have liked him there, it just would have hurt the story to try and explain his presence. But hey, maybe that’ll be fodder for Star Trek XII! I’m for it.

Nice write up! I am actually hopping that the plot contrives to put Quinto and Nimoy together in a scene, because it sounds like they have great chemistry, and I think having an older Spock interact with his younger self would be a treat.

On another note, my main fear is that they will ignore the events in ENTERPRISE.
That would be sad as although the show suffered under the weight of having to be a Trek prequel and also having to be different from Trek to get an audience…the show is still considered (By Me alone, perhaps) as part of the Trek cannon.

Ignoring the events of Enterprise would actually be a blessing for me personally since I despised the show above all the other shows. Seriously, they named the ship and the show Enterprise! If the ship had a different name I wouldn’t have minded that much. And while I did give some of the episodes a chance, it just felt too much like Berman and Bragga were using it to exercise their creative control over the whole series by sandwiching the original series to fit THEIR vision of the saga. If anything, Enterprise acted more as a prequel to The Next Generation rather then the original series. And that last episode that actually took place in TNG era was the single most stupidest idea for an ending to any show I’ve ever seen.

If this new movie can bring Leonard Nimoy out of retirement from Trek in more then a decade and a half thanks to a great story and crew, this has got to be more “Star Trek” then Enterprise was.

#24 Agreed. Except for some episodes in season 4, I could more easily imagine Enterprise being set 100 yrs before the Next Generation era than TOS. The cinematography, warp drive effects, music cues, even the uniform rank pips and shoulder striping were far more evocative of Picard’s era than Kirk’s. Personally, I could care less if they reference it or not in the new movie. But, they (JJ Abrams and Co.) should use this opportunity for a fresh start.

Thanks Anthony, it was nice to read your report. To see two actors striving to bring sooo much to a roll that uses no-verbal commincation (use of just a glare, raised eyebrow, raised hand, or a knowing nod, insert others). The only time we as fans can see them smile is at conventions. Thanks again

#21—They have already stated that ENT will be acknowledged, and I am with you. It is “canon” to me. As much as I disliked TNG and VOY, I rather enjoyed ENT and most of DS9. Those who think it doesn’t fit, really mean that it doesn’t fit within their preconceptions of the era 100 years prior to TOS.

A Shatner cameo in this film would kill it for me. The character of Spock has continuity in the Trekverse, his character was around for the TNG era and possibly beyond.

It makes sense that Spock could be present throughout the movie as an “old Spock”, that’s a character we are familiar with and can deal with, the old mentor as it were. I just think a ten second glimpse of a “rolly polly” Kirk will just kill that character for me. Leave old Kirk out of it, he died, young(ish) and vibrant. Leave him that way.

I think that most people would just be waiting for that “oohhh, there he is” moment. It would just spoil the movie, sorry Bill!

They could have put William Shatner into a futuristic DVD Video iPod recorded in the past before he ‘died’ or have used his voice for narration at the very least. Could have made him look younger with CGI effects.

Katie#7- Anthony covered all the good stuff, K. I had even forgotten about the T-shirt and that was only two days ago! I do remember now that Quinto looked genuinely moved (I had a great seat!) when Leonardo pulled out the shirt and passed it to him. Anthony hit the nail on the head concerning their chemistry – mentor/protege, dare I say father/son. There is sincere affection there that will come through in the movie, I have no doubt. After seeing them together, it only fuels my regard for the whole production team and anticipation for the movie experience.

Amazing reporting job as usual, Anthony. Thank you for all the effort and work you put in on our behalf. I appreciate you and the site tenfold after seeing you in action at the con.

51. I Love My Moogie – April 15, 2008
I read a few months back they had to CGI Nimoy’s hand doing the Vulcan peace sign onto Quinto because he’s incapable of doing it correctly (shaking my head downwards & sighing).”

I am sure you’ll get over this devastating news… even though it’s wrong. The hand was CGI’d, but not for that reason.

Actually, I’ve seen several article on Chris Pine and he has been talked about many times. It’s Zoe Saldana that’s getting ignored, so far. These things go in cycles–usually based on whether a movie project featuring one of the stars of the TREK movie is about to be released.

Be patient. The PR department at Paramount are focusing on the Spock-Spock angle to sell the movie, but will at some point start highlighting the Kirk-Spock reltionship.

With more than a year before the movie release, there’s plenty of time for all the players to have their day in the sun and get highlighted.

#24 – at the grand slam this past weekend there was an art director there from Enterprise. He stated in a very diplomatic way that he had hoped for the original costumes and set to reflect TOS, but the network felt that the audience wouldn’t like that, thus the network would make less money. I think I have this on tape somewhere…

How wrong the network was. Look at what this movie will gross, and they will see how a movie that stays true to canon will probably earn more than that entire series did.

Nimoy also mentioned that if the movie does well that Paramount has optioned two more pictures after this. So tell all your friends, people! :)

Defracking . . .
Dan #21
I also am an ENT fan and I consider it Canon. However, the entire Xindi arc is hard to rationalize within previous Canon. I will always be disappointed that the “Temporal Cold War” wasn’t about the “Romulan War” instead of the Xindi arc. So it goes. Orci did mention in an interview last fall that ENT was taken into account.
Recloaking.

24 – agreed 100%..Enterprise DEFINATLY felt more of a TNG prequel…almost as if Berman etc were trying to erase TOS…least we had season 4 though – that was ok and season 3 was like a 20 hour Star Trek movie

id still like to see a nod to Enterprise in the movie though

regarding the whole passing of the torch thing…isnt that what Generations was supposed to be?…Nimoy was so right to say NO! to being in that…shame Shatner didnt do that same eh…oh well who knew the whole TNG movie thing would crash and burn and that they’d end up back to TOS 15 years later…

btw talking about TNG Marina Sirtis is in Holby City on BBC 1 right now (UKs answer to ER) she looks abit different to how she looked as Troi…theres quite a few genre names who appear in that..everyone from Wedge from star wars, anthony daniels, david soul, Malcolm from Enterprise was on a few weeks back

Quinto said he was wearing those because his eyebrows still haven’t grown back. Someone from the audience asked him to take them off. he wouldn’t because he doesn’t like the way they look right now. :)

Nice to hear Leonard speak on Bill. Mr Orci had said on this site that “it’s a long shoot, anything could happen”
Well nothing did.
We just have to take Leonard”s advice and trust that it was the right decision. I am sure they know what’s best for their story.

I’m curious as to the hints dropped by Nimoy that we’ll see more of the dynamics of Vulcan/human relationships. Specifically, Sarek and Amanda (Spock’s folks) interaction. Casting of the two of them looks very on the money. Ben Cross almost looks like Sarek w/o the makeup! And stumbling across “Reality Bites” the other night on TV and I was reminded of how engaging Winona Ryder can be. Might be interesting to see Amanda before she became the more matronly lady we saw in “Journey to Babel” and “Star Trek IV.” It could be a small scene, but it’s the little things that are often most memorable in Trek movies.

As for the people who STILL cannot accept that elder Spock may die in ST XI; people die, characters die. It’s part of life. And no one has the right to give Nimoy grief over the possible “death” of Spock. He is an actor, doing a job. As for those who STILL want Shatner back; Kirk had his swan song in “Generations”. Whether you “agreed” with it or not, it was up there on the screen. Shatner agreed to do it (so he has the least right to bellyache). The character of (elder) Kirk died in “Generations.” It’s done. Move on already. And let’s all give (as Trek fans) Chris Pine a chance; he may surprise us!

24/26 -another thing about Enterprise – TOS gave you the feel that the NCC 1701 was the 1st starship enterprise exploring the galaxy with Kirk as the captain, making the ships name legendary in starfleet, 1st contact with Klingons, Romulans etc…yet all of a sudden heres the very first Enterprise with ‘Kirks childhood Hero’ Archer going around encountering Klingons, Romulans, Ferrengi..even Borg!

It’s plain to my understanding that a few of you out there are upset over the possibilty of the new movie ignoring the events of ENT. Well what about when VOY did a time travel episode back to 1996 without ever having mentioned any refernece to the EUGENICS WARS. Or the fact that Zefram Cochrane came from Alpha Centauri and not some Montana town in FC. And speaking of ENT, didn’t the vessel before NCC-1701 happen to be a Colonial Starliner; Y’know the one that looked like a strange PIN WHEEL. So let these facts settle into your soft little minds. There’s jack all you can do about it though you’re welcome to scream all you like.

And any reference to “Enterprise”, later called “Star Trek Enterprise” will be absurd at best. Just lets all ignore that that debacle ever happened. Vulcans at odds with and being taunted by the racist humans at every possible turn? Absurd. I hope Rick Berman dies. JUST for “writing” Nemesis for starters…. and for Voyager, Enterprise….. the list of his destruction goes on.